MONTREAL - John Moore won't play again in the NHL Eastern Conference final if it goes the distance.

The New York Rangers defenceman was given a two-game suspension for his hit to the head of Montreal Canadiens winger Dale Weise late in Game 5 Tuesday. It’s a decision that would not sit well with Rangers coach Alain Vigneault.

Before the suspension was handed down, Vigneault said he didn’t think Moore should get any further discipline for what took during the 7-4 loss.

“Yes, by league standards, and I know the league standard very well because of the (Aaron) Rome hit a couple years ago in the Boston series against my former team in Vancouver, and it doesn’t meet the league standard as far as a late hit,” said Vigneault.

“It was a hit that Johnny caught him a little high in the chest, (the) player didn’t see it coming. It probably warrants the penalty that was given on the ice. Other than that, I don’t see what else it could warrant, but I’ve been surprised before. We’ll see what happens.”

Vigneault said Weise wasn’t paying attention during the play. The league called it an illegal check to the head.

“Well, the player didn’t see him coming but the guy was admiring his pass a little bit at the same time,” added Vigneault. “Unfortunately, it was a hit and because of the force of the hit, the head seemed to snap back a little bit. But as far as what I know about league standards and from what I heard from the (Brandon) Prust hit where the dynamics of the hit changed because (Derek) Stepan was hurt, I don’t see that at this time.”

Montreal coach Michel Therrien said he wasn’t surprised Vigneault stood up for Moore.

“What Alain is saying it’s normal,” said Therrien. “He’s there to protect his players with his comments, and any coach is going to say those types of things. But we all saw the hit.”